Free flaps in scar treatment

• Main Authors: Vogt Peter M., Alawi Seyed Arash, Ipaktchi Ramin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2017-07-01
• Series: Innovative Surgical Science
• Subjects: flap; reconstruction scar; scar treatment; tissue transfer
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/iss-2017-0014

Scar management needs defined concepts and an algorithm to restore functional and aesthetic units. After an unsuccessful conservative treatment, surgical measures provide a vast spectrum of possibilities for remediation. The spectrum of possibilities consists of excision and Z-plasty, regional flaps, vascularized pedicled flaps, tissue expansion, and finally free tissue transfer. Severe scarring and highly destructed tissues with inferior functional and aesthetic units can be effectively treated with radical excision and free flap reconstruction. The complexity of flap architecture and tissue qualities allows for an individualized approach. Specific attention should be paid to the long-term consequences of severe scarring with progressive loss of functionality.